Manhattan DA Repatriates Stolen 16th-Century Paraguayan Manuscript, Bolsters Cultural Preservation

In a move towards cultural reconciliation, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., has announced the return of a pivotal 16th-century manuscript to the rightful hands of Paraguay. This document, which once fell into the hands of a New York City book dealer after its theft from Paraguay's National Archives, carries not just historical but also deep cultural significance, detailing the local laws during colonial era.

The manuscript was stolen over a decade ago but wasn't discovered until it showed up at an auction in Manhattan in 2013. After a tip from the Consul General of Paraguay in New York this January, the Antiquities Trafficking Unit (ATU) got their hands on it in April. "I am thrilled that, for the first time, we have been able to return a stolen artifact to the people of Paraguay," Bragg said in a statement obtained by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office.

The historic document penned by Hernando Arias de Saavedra, better known as Hernandarias, dates back to 1598 and provides insights into the governance of Indigenous populations during that period. This repatriation showcases a concrete step towards preserving cultural heritages and is especially notable given Hernandarias' later enactment of laws that led to the abolition of the encomienda system, which was tantamount to enslavement for many Indigenous people.

According to the Manhattan District Attorney's Office’s announcement, the document is valued at nearly $20,000, and its return signifies the strong bilateral commitment to cultural preservation. Commending the collaborative effort, Fabiola Torres Figueredo, Consul General of Paraguay in New York, expressed deep gratitude by saying, “The return of this historical manuscript is a meaningful gesture of friendship and respect between our nations. It symbolizes our shared commitment to the preservation of cultural heritage and historical memory. We are deeply grateful to the District Attorney’s Office for its invaluable cooperation in making this repatriation possible.”

The ATU, led by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Bogdanos, has made significant strides in recovering stolen artifacts, salvaging more than 6,000 antiquities from various countries.